Academic Program

Program Names

Program name

Program type

Journalism

BS

The Journalism Department offers a professional program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. All majors must complete the basic journalism core courses in addition to a sequence of courses selected from an identified track and a list of electives from which they must choose in consultation with an academic advisor.

Of the 180 units required for a bachelor's degree, 104 quarter units must be taken in courses outside the major area of journalism/media/mass communication. Each student is strongly encouraged to take a modern language to satisfy his or her elective units. For media-related courses offered outside the major, students are required to consult with their academic advisor before enrolling in these classes.

All journalism majors are expected to serve as staff members of the department's student-run media organizations, including digital, print and broadcast editions of Mustang News; public relations firm Central Coast PRspectives; Cal Poly's radio station, KCPR-FM; and program operations of Cal Poly's TV station, CPTV. They are also expected to participate in professional and scholarly organizations in their areas of interest, in addition to applying acquired skills and developing professional abilities in an approved media internship.

Undergraduate Program

BS Journalism

The Journalism Department offers a professional program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. All majors must complete the basic journalism core courses in addition to a sequence of courses selected from an identified track and a list of electives from which they must choose in consultation with an academic advisor.

How to Read Course Descriptions

The bolded first line begins with a capitalized abbreviation that designates the subject area followed by the course number and title. The unit value is also displayed.

CR/NC: Indicates a course is offered on a Credit/No Credit grading basis only.GE Area: Indicates the General Education (GE) Area for which the course may fulfill a requirement. See the course description for details.USCP: Indicates that credit in the course satisfies the U.S. Cultural Pluralism requirement.GWR: Indicates the course will satisfy the Graduation Writing Requirement, if the student earns a grade of C or better AND receives certification of proficiency in writing based on a 500-word in-class essay.

Prerequisite: Coursework to be completed and/or requirements to be met before taking the courseCorequisite: Course or courses that must be taken in a previous term or in the same termConcurrent: Course or courses that must be taken in the same termRecommended: Course with supporting content that is recommended, but is not required to be taken in a previous term or in the same term

The course description summarizes the purpose and key topical areas of the course, and includes special requirements if they exist. It indicates the mode of instruction, such as lecture and/or laboratory; if no mode is indicated, the course is supervised independent study. If a course can be taken more than once for credit, the description will indicate that either major credit or total credit is limited to a specified number of units. Some course descriptions end with information about whether the course was "formerly" another course or whether the course is cross-listed. A cross-listed course is the same course offered within multiple subject areas, MCRO/WVIT 301 Wine Microbiology for example.

JOUR Courses

JOUR 102. Introduction to Journalism.
1 unit

Term Typically Offered: F

Introduction to current practices in American news media with a focus on emerging technologies and traditional print and broadcast operations. Exploration of changing career opportunities in news and public relations. Overview of student media organizations and requirements for academic success in journalism. 1 lecture.

JOUR 201. Journalism History.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Survey of historical influences in the development of today's journalism. Contributions of women and minorities to American mass media. Rise of technology in the communication industry. 4 lectures.

JOUR 203. News Reporting and Writing.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Introduction to the fundamental techniques of reporting and writing news articles from print and online perspectives. Extensive laboratory and field practices in gathering and evaluating information. Writing basic news stories under close supervision. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

JOUR 205. Agricultural Communications.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Survey of the media of agricultural communication. Newspaper farm pages and sections, general and specialized agricultural magazines. Radio and TV farm broadcasts. Digital media sources. Public and private agencies involved in agricultural communication. Role of California minorities in agriculture. Writing on agriculture-related issues. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

JOUR 218. Media, Self and Society.
4 units

GE Area D4

Term Typically Offered: W, SP

Overview of the interaction between mass media and individuals in American society. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from mass communication and psychology to explore how individuals develop a coherent understanding of self within a highly mediated world. The power and influence of media messages and practices. Individual responsibility in an information society. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as COMS/JOUR 218. Fulfills GE D4.

JOUR 219. Multicultural Society and the Mass Media.
4 units

USCP

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

The role of the mass media in a democratic multicultural society. Portrayal and stereotyping of ethnic minorities by different mass media forms throughout U.S. history. The growing impact of minorities in the United States. Achievement and goals of current American ethnic media, with special attention to Latinos/as and African-Americans. 4 lectures. Fulfills USCP.

JOUR 220. Introduction to Radio Broadcasting.
2 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: Acceptance as a KCPR staff member and consent of instructor.

Development of skills and knowledge to produce live and recorded radio shows for the campus radio station KCPR-FM. Basic station operations, FCC compliance standards, and basic station management. Required for KCPR staff. 2 lectures.

Editing for print and online publications. Using the Associated Press style. Writing headlines and captions. Repurposing various media content for the web and other formats. Ethical issues for the editor. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

JOUR 270. Selected Topics.
1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W

Prerequisite: Open to undergraduate students and consent of instructor.

Directed group study of selected topics. The Schedule of Classes will list title selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

Introduction to the social, editorial and technical issues surrounding the Web as a new form of communication. Fundamentals of gathering, writing and publishing content for the Web that includes using photographs, sound, pictures and video to tell a story. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Experience leading to advanced skills in reporting and writing stories about contemporary issues, government and courts. Field and laboratory assignments in beat reporting, public meeting coverage, writing style, investigative techniques and online journalism research. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

JOUR 312. Public Relations.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Overview of the history, growth and ongoing development of public relations as an information management function in a multicultural environment. Public relations practices used in commercial and non-profit sectors, and firsthand application of public relations skills. 4 lectures.

Field experience in radio station operations at KCPR-FM, the campus radio station. Emphasizes support functions such as recording announcements, planning and carrying out promotions, underwriting, events and other station management duties. Required of students also hosting live or prerecorded on-air programs. Total credit limited to 8 units. Open only to students on staff at KCPR-FM. 1 laboratory.

JOUR 331. Contemporary Advertising.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A3.

Principles of advertising, copy, layout, and production across media platforms, including online, mobile, social, print and broadcast. Economic, political, and social function of advertising in a free market society. Advertising ethics. Social responsibility of advertising in a multicultural environment. Emerging advertising technologies. 4 lectures.

JOUR 333. Broadcast News.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A3.

Beginning broadcast news writing and reporting for radio and television. Emphasis on developing news judgment and producing radio newscasts. Introduction to television studio equipment and procedures. Lab experience includes writing and reporting live on-air for KCPR. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Develop on-air skills in the performance of voice-overs, stand-ups, hosting and the production of televised public service announcements. Emphasis on the effective use of audio and non-linear video editing techniques as well as broadcast writing. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Senior-level course synthesizing the diverse skills and experiences developed through the broadcast journalism curriculum. Students produce a live 30-minute CPTV newscast per week, or a one-hour KCPR segment that incorporates news, information, talk and entertainment. Emphasis on news producing, reporting and announcing skills. Total credit limited to 8 units. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Theory and application of visual communication in today's media. Visual communication's power to inform, educate and persuade. Production of visual media across digital, broadcast and print platforms. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

JOUR 400. Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates.
1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 8 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter.

Global communications facilities and operations; world transmission of information; survey of world wire services and international print and electronic media. Analysis of press operations under varying government ideologies, including third world countries. 4 seminars.

Current issues revolving around the social responsibility of the mass media. Role of the public, government, and media in considerations of media accountability. Professional behavior in media organizations. 4 seminars.

Practice in researching, interviewing and the writing and marketing of both long and short form nonfiction articles for various media outlets. Analysis of similar work in current distribution. 4 lectures.

Apply the theories and applications of digital journalism to the development and publication of innovative digital content. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

JOUR 412. Public Relations and Crisis Management.
4 units

Term Typically Offered: SP

Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Apply contemporary public relations theory to turn crisis into opportunity. Analyze Homeland Security and FEMA best practices using public relations framework and strategy. Practical exercises in planning, implementing, and evaluating public relations messages in a variety of media platforms. 4 lectures.

Development of skills needed to plan and conduct internal and external public relations campaigns for corporate and non-profit organizations. Includes goal setting, management of resources, budgeting, creation of campaign communications, and outcomes analysis. 4 lectures.

Examination of intellectual property rights covered by copyright, trademark and, to a limited degree, patent law as well as commercial speech rights in a digital media age. Emphasis on intellectual property rights as they affect content creators and other publishers in a digital world. 4 lectures.

Selection and completion of a project under faculty supervision. Projects typical of problems which graduates must solve in their fields of employment. Project results are presented in a formal report. Minimum 90 hours total time.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Schedule of Classes will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 2-4 lectures.

JOUR 471. Selected Advanced Laboratory.
1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. The Schedule of Classes will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1-4 laboratories.

Teresa AllenB.A., University of Washington at Seattle, 1976; M.A., University of Colorado at Boulder, 1993; additional graduate study.